What did Kendall Francois do?
Kendall Francois was an American serial killer from Poughkeepsie, New York, who killed 8 women between 1996 and 1998. He was dubbed “The Monster of Poughkeepsie” during his reign of terror.
Francois’ first 3 victims were sex workers who were well-known to him. His first victim was Wendy Meyers, whom he choked during sex. Once she was unconscious, he placed her face down in the bathtub and held her down until she died. Next up, he killed Gina Barone in his car, and just days later, he claimed his third victim, Cathy Marsh. All 3 bodies were placed side by side in the attic of his home.
Francois then went on to kill Kathleen Hurley and Mary Healey Giaccone. Francois was known by local police for assaulting sex workers, so Detectives began keeping watch on Francois’ home, and had a sex worker wear a wire when meeting with Francois. In early 1998, Poughkeepsie Police interviewed Francois about the missing women, but nothing came of it. Later that month, Francois was arrested for assaulting a sex worker in his room after a dispute over money. Francois was arrested, and spent 15 days in jail. In June, 1998, Francois claimed victim number 6, Sandra Jean French. In August, Catina Newmaster also vanished.
How was Francois caught and what happened during the trial?
On September 1, 1998, Francois picked up a local drug addict named Christine Sala and when she refused to have sex with him, he punched her in the face. Sala ran away, 2 detectives in the area handing out flyers about the Catina Newmaster disappearance questioned her, and she filed a complaint against Francois.
Francois was questioned and started admitting to his role in the disappearances of women. He was arrested and charged with the murder of Catina Newmaster. In September 1998, Francois entered a plea of “not guilty” and on the 13th of October, he was formally charged with 8 counts of first-degree murder. On the 7th of August 2000, Francois was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Where is Kendall Francois now?
Francois served his sentence in Attica Correctional Facility until his death on the 11th of September 2014. He was 43 years old. The official cause of death was an “AIDS-related illness.”
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